Terminal box mounting for electric switches



Aug. 4, 1931. 1'. R. MARTIN 1,317,573

TERIINAL BOX IOUNTING FdR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed April 9 192a Patented Aug. 4, 1931 I g 1,817,5'1ii THOMAS mommn MARTIN, or ry'satng'mammenam, ENGLAND TERMINAL BOX MOUNTING EOE Application filed April 9 1928; Serial My invention has relation to a terminal box mounting for an electric switch, more particularly a mounting of the type wherein the switch mechanism is adapted to be susnded from a bridge member which is adustable in relation to the box, and to which a cover plate is be attached, the said bridge by its adjustment providing for the corresponding adjustment of the cover 13 plate in relation to the box, for obtaining a proper setting of the former in relation to the adjacent wall surface.

According to the present invention, there is provided a terminal box mounting for an electric switch having resilient media incorporated between the extremitiesof the bridge and adjacent parts of the box, in association with screws or screw members adapted to ositively adjust the bridge in relation to the x, the said adjustment being maintained by the spring media.

The spring media may be separate from or independent of the bridge proper, and may be of are or U-shaped formation, adapted to a; bear upon the underside of the bridge and upper edge or adjacent part of the box. Or, a ternatively, said spring media may be integral with the bridge, as for instance, lateral arc-shaped arms incorporated at the :9 bridge extremities adapted to bear on the upper edge of the box, or U-shaped extensions may be provided adapted to come between the bridge and adjacent upper edge of the box. The adjustment screws are adapted to in pass through apertures in the bridge into threaded apertures provided in lugs at or adjacent the upper edge of the box. The bridge may be longitudinally adjustable to accommodate itself to boxes of difiering longitudi- Q nal dimensions.

In order that this invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into practice, reference may be had to the appended illustrative sheet of drawings, upon which 1- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box, showing the bridge and associate components about to be assembled.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of bridge.

0!! Figure 3 is a perspective view correspondanaemic swimsuits tliat aif dre statedj reference to Fig,

are legally show ng sl ghtly modified 90m ponent'so.-I1.'.; o" Figured shows perspective a bridge havin longitudinally adjustable characteristics; igure 5 is a vertical sectionalelevation showingthe box flinstalled wi-thin a, wall, an {ad ustable bridge, and cover plate in posi 10n IN: v; In the drawings a is the box and b the bridge, stamped. into channel shape, having an aperture 121 wherein the actuating meshes n smofvthe switch tea-adapted to operate in. well kpnwnzmaanea: The ex r mit s b -Qt th s a g a e at T format on, and b ande Whp in pe fo ati n to; r ce e s r s 1 adap d ta e seg tapa d ape ure n. was a1 onthe box ,a. 'cl arearcuate ,blade springs having tongues d1 adapted. to oyerlap ithe, edgesoof the box, dZiP VL d wit a P a n P fo t on ro a reception of ,the fastening screws "0. Itwill be appreciated that i;u usewhen theparts are assembledgthe bridge may beadjusted in relationtothe box byrotating the screws 0, and such adj ustment ie'automatical-ly maintained by the springsids" The cover plate 6 seex'ioniexample Figure 5) is attached to the bridge I) by meansioiafastening screws e-lerga gimg apertures 63,- The switchmenhani m is attach d *tQY 'h Mb idgQ b, by: sc ew me be s en agin fiapipe eapertm M1 Ear hen t'wi a a d h by adjusting theubridg i is i il t p n t h [00X a, thcicbyer plate be ultimately; set n correct relationito th'eadjacent wall surt '1 ee particular y Figu ,5)

'In the modification shown Figure 2, arcuate [spring members 65 are provided-in tegral with the extremities of the bridge member b and are forkedv at their extremities toengage the upper edge of the box a i an a ent l ip .oo g The screws cpassthrough the' plain apertures 196 into thetapped apertures mthe box a.--

'In theumoldification shown inqFigure 3, the "bridge 1) is adapted to be resiliently spacedfrmn the box'a by means-of Ushaped splingilmembers gathe limbs of, which .are prow deda itlr p ain pertu e or amp-(1a ease/fifths: s rewmemb rsc a Alternatively, instead of providing separate or independent members 9, such members may be formed integral with the extremities of the bridge Z2. Coil springs may be used encircling the screws c for the purpose of this invention.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the bridge a is of a three-part character involving a centre main part (indicated by the reference letter b) and terminal extremities b7, capable of being slid or displaced longitudinally in relation to the centre part b for adjustment of the overall length of the bridge. lVhen the fastening screws 7L1 (Figure 5) associated with the switch base it are tightened, the elements 65 Z27 (Fig. 4) are drawn together in their position of adjustment, the said parts 65 having elongated slots 68 within which the pins 7L1 are adapted to operate.

What I claim as my invention and to secure by Letters Patent is l. A terminal box mounting for an electric switch, comprising a bridge member having apertures at its extremities, abox for accommodating the switch mechanism screws adapted to engage the apertures in the bridge member and threaded apertures in ends of said box, arcuate spring arms integral with the bridge member adapted to co-operate with the upper edges of the ends of the box, and means for connecting a cover plate to said bridge member.

2. A switch box, a switch supporting bridge member, fastenings connecting the bridge member with the switch box and permovement of the former toward and from the latter, and a spring yieldably supporting said bridge member upon said switch box, said spring being in the form of av normally bowed leaf formed integrally with the bridge member.

3. A switch box, a switch supporting bridge member, fastenings connecting the bridge member with the switch box and permitting movement of the forwer toward and from the latter, and a normally arched leaf spring engaged at its ends with the switch box and engaged medially with the bridge member whereby the bridge member is yieldably supported upon the switch box.

4. A switch box, a switch supporting bridge member, fastenings connecting the bridge member with the switch box and permitting movement of the former toward and from the latter, and a-normally arched leaf spring engaged at its ends with the switch box and engaged medially with the bridge member whereby the bridge member is yielddesire ably supported upon the switch box, the ends of said leaf spring being provided with formations for cooperation with the switch hand.

THOMAS RICHARD MARTIN. 

